Bose SoundTouch (Series III) – Wireless speakers with preset playlist buttons
Bose enters the wireless multi-room music arena with its range of SoundTouch speaker system. Previously known for desktop CD player, radio and their signature Wave sound system, they later introduced speakers with docking station for iPhones.
It’s easy to see the next step of the speaker evolution here.
WiFi + HiFi = Bose SoundTouch (Series III)
The Bose SoundTouch Wireless Music Sound System offers the same clear and crisp sound you have come to expect from Bose.
While we are only looking at the portable speaker aptly named the SoundTouch Portable, the mid size speaker SoundTouch 20 and the big speaker SoundTouch 30, the label ‘SoundTouch’ is slowly being introduced across the range of Bose products including the old favourite Bose Wave SoundTouch.
Now in its second generation or Series II, the Bose SoundTouch is enjoying a growing user base especially through switching or expanding from conventional Bose Sound system to a streaming system with multi-room capabilty.
Bose SoundTouch 30 (Series III)
The SoundTouch technology is now available across the board from speakers to amplifiers to home cinema systems. But here, we are interested in the SoundTouch 30 for bigger rooms, SoundTouch 20 for average sized room and SoundTouch Portable for portability.
Bose SoundTouch 30 Series II above is designed to enjoy your music effortlessly. The wireless system uses the home WiFi network and Internet access to access over 20,000 Internet radio stations from around the world, songs and playlist from personal collection and online streaming service such as Spotify. The SoundTouch 30 is the most powerful one-piece WiFi music system from Bose with enough power to fill a large room.
Bose SoundTouch 20 (Series III)
For a cheaper alternative to suit smaller room, there is the SoundTouch 20 with all the features of the SoundTouch 30 including muti-room connectivity but uses smaller drivers. This will probably be a good starting point for those looking to start a wireless home sound system and not need their speaker to be portable. For those whom are considering a wireless and portable system, there is the SoundTouch Portable with its built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that last for hours.
Features:
- Connections – Wireless access to your music library, Internet radio and music streaming services. There is also an auxiliary input across all models. SoundTouch Portable comes with built-in rechargeable batteries and as its name suggests, designed for portability.
- Networking – Direct to WiFi no additional hardware required.
- Controls – infra-red remote control included, works with app using drag and drop to create six preset playlists, these can then be called up using one of the six buttons on the top of the speaker. Giving you one touch access to your favourite music. Use each speaker to play different tunes or use the party mode to play the same music over all speakers simultaneously.
- Colours: Available in Black or White.
Bose SoundTouch Portable (Series III)
App: SoundTouch Controller App (iOS and Android)
UPDATE:
SoundTouch 10 is the latest addition to the SoundTouch wireless music system family from Bose. SoundTouch 10 is in the same price point as the Play 1 from Sonos, one of the market leaders in wireless music system. The move from Bose to ditch the SoundTouch portable in favour of the small SoundTouch 10 completes the Bose portfolio of like for like speakers compared to its main competitor. The SoundTouch 10 against Play:1, the SoundTouch 30 against Play:3 and the SoundTouch 30 against Play:5.
As with all other SoundTouch speakers in the family, the SoundTouch 10 lets you access music services, Internet radio stations and your stored music library. It also has the six preset buttons that allows users to play their favourite music instantly from pre-programmed playlist. The SoundTouch 10 does have one or two advantages when compared against the Sonos Play:1, you get a remote that also lets you rate your music (thumbs up or down buttons) as you listen and Bluetooth connectivity for connecting and playing tracks straight from smartphone or tablet. Both of which is lacking in the Sonos family. However, one can argue that with the remote control app and always connected system defeats the need for a separate remote or Bluetooth connectivity.
Our Line-Up:
For the most up to date prices, please click on the links below:
- SoundTouch 10 for small rooms [NEW]
- SoundTouch 20 (Series III) for average sized room
- SoundTouch 30 (Series III) for bigger rooms
- SoundTouch Portable (Series III) for portability [DISCONTINUED]
As with Sonos, BOSE pricing strategy leaves very little room for maneuver .
The system is quick and easy to use and the programmable buttons that lets you set your own songs, albums, playlist or internet radio station takes the hassle of starting and connecting via an app on a device.
